Certified versus ordinary translation
An ordinary translation conveys meaning. A certified legal translation is produced by a translator licensed by the UAE Ministry of Justice, who stamps and signs the work and takes responsibility for its accuracy. Courts, notaries, the Dubai Land Department, immigration and licensing authorities accept only the second kind, however good the first one is.
When it is required
- Any foreign document submitted to a UAE court, notary or government authority.
- Powers of attorney, contracts and company documents intended to be notarised.
- Birth, marriage, divorce and death certificates used for visas and registration.
- Degree certificates and professional licences for employment and equivalency.
- Judgments, claims, witness statements and evidence in litigation.
- Medical and technical reports submitted in insurance or liability matters.
Do attestation first, translation second
The translation should include the attestation stamps. If a document is translated before the notary, embassy and MOFA stages are complete, the Arabic text records an incomplete document and the receiving authority will send it back. The only common exception is where a translation is needed to complete an earlier stage, in which case expect to have the final version retranslated.
What a valid certified translation looks like
- Produced by a Ministry of Justice licensed translator for the relevant language pair.
- Stamped and signed, with the translator's licence number shown.
- A complete rendering, including stamps, seals, handwritten notes and marginal text.
- Names transliterated exactly as they appear in the passport, not phonetically.
- Numbers, dates and reference numbers matched precisely to the source.
- Presented attached to a copy of the source document, not as a standalone page.
How pricing usually works
| Factor | Effect on price |
|---|---|
| Page or word count | The main driver, counted on the source document |
| Language pair | Arabic to and from English is the most competitive; other pairs cost more |
| Document type | Court filings and technical contracts take longer than standard certificates |
| Turnaround | Same day and next day work is charged at a premium |
| Extra stamped copies | Usually priced per additional certified set |
Why translations get rejected
- Translated by someone not licensed by the Ministry of Justice.
- Name spelling that does not match the passport.
- Stamps, seals or handwritten endorsements left out of the Arabic text.
- Translation completed before attestation, so the stamps are not covered.
- Missing translator stamp, signature or licence number on each page.
- Partial translation of a multi page document.
Frequently asked
Can I translate my own documents?
No. Even a fluent bilingual translation is not accepted by UAE authorities unless it comes from a Ministry of Justice licensed legal translator.
How long does certified translation take?
Standard certificates are usually one to two working days. Long contracts, court bundles and technical reports take longer and should be scoped in advance.
Is a translation done abroad accepted in the UAE?
Generally not. Even attested foreign translations are frequently refused, and the safe route is a UAE licensed translator once the attestation chain is complete.
How long is a certified translation valid?
The translation does not expire, but if the source document is reissued or amended, the translation must be redone to match.